Optimization of Ferric Chloride Leaching Parameters of Copper Extraction From Chalcopyrite Concentrate Using Taguchi Method

Abstract

Taguchi (L16) experimental design (DOE) was used to optimize the extraction process of copper from chalcopyrite concentrate statistically. A series of experiments involving leaching of copper by ferric chloride in a hydrochloric acidic medium were conducted. Process optimization of the experimental data was performed via statistical analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique indicated that the most effective parameter was the stirring rate and the less effective parameter was the ferric ion concentrate. In this study, experimental parameters and their ranges were chosen as follows: solid-to-liquid ratio, 2 g/500mL; ferric chloride concentration, 0.05 M; leaching temperature, 30 degrees C; acid concentration, 0.5 M, and a stirring speed, 400 rpm. Under these conditions, copper extraction from chalcopyrite of approximately 89% were achieved.